Movable pump with flange having sealing means thereon

ABSTRACT

Movably positioned pumps, particularly sump pumps, are provided where the pump is accurately positioned on fixed guide means for controlled vertical movement into and out of a sump. The pump has a discharge member with an end flange thereon, and a fixedly positioned discharge tube means having an end flange thereon is present whereby when the pump is operatively positioned, its discharge opening is aligned with and immediately adjacent the end flange on the discharge tube means. A flexible seal means is carried by the discharge member flange and is forced into sealing engagement with the adjacent flange when the pump is in service.

United States Patent MOVABLE rumnwfin FLANGE HAVING SEALING MEANS THEREO7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

U.S. CI 417/360, 415/219, 222/385, 285/9, 285/110 Int. Cl. uF04d 13/02,B67d 5/40, F161 25/00 Field of Search 417/360,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,018,925 1/1962 Englesson417/424 3,511,252 5/1970 Kennedy 285/110 X Primary Examiner- Robert M.Walker Attorney-Oldham & Oldham ABSTRACT: Movably positioned pumps,particularly sump pumps, are provided where the pump is accuratelypositioned on fixed guide means for controlled vertical movement intoand out of a sump. The pump has a discharge member with an end flangethereon, and a fixedly positioned discharge tube means having an endflange thereon is present whereby when the pump is operativelypositioned, its discharge opening is aligned with and immediatelyadjacent the end flange on the discharge tube means. A flexible sealmeans is carried by the discharge member flange and is forced intosealing engagement with the adjacent flange when the pump is in service.

N T l\\?\ PATENTED JUL 1 3 IHYI SHEET 1 BF 2 FIGI FIGB

INVENTOR. WILLIAM J. CONERY 6 5- I H L Q ATTORNEYS,

PATENTEuJuualsn 3,592,564

SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR.

| A WILLIAM J.CONERY ATTORNEYS.

MOVABLE PUMP WITH FLANGE HAVING SEALING MEANS THEREON This is acontinuation-in-part of my previous U.S. Pat. application Ser. No.853,337, filed Aug. 27, I969.

The present invention relates to movable sump pumps or the like, andparticularly to an improved automatically engageable sealing meansprovided, for example, on a pump discharge elbow flange which sealingmeans is operably but not mechanically coupled to and sealed against adischarge tube provided in the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore there have been different typesof sump pump constructions provided and in many instances it isdesirable to position pumps movably in a sump whereby they can be raisedfor cleaning, repair purposes, or other action, as is desired. One pumpunit of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,925. However, itnaturally is a problem to connect the pump operably to the remainder ofthe sump system if the pump is movably positioned in the sump. Thus,efforts have been made heretofore to provide automatically engageableseal means in sump pumps or the like and prior automatic seal orengaging means, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,427,982, have been suitablefor some purposes but an improved sealing diaphragm means is required tofacilitate simplified raising and lowering of the sump pump and stillinsure sealed pump action for discharge purposes.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a novel andimproved sealing means adapted for association with a discharge memberend flange of a sump pump or the like for automatic engagement of thesealing means with an associated discharge tube without any mechanicalcoupling between the pump and the discharge tube.

A further object of the invention is to provide two relatively movablemembers, one having an accurately controlled vertical movement, andwherein the movable member is connected to a pump and has a flexibleseal means carried thereby adapted for automatic sealing engagement withan associated fixed discharge tube when the pump is operated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved,self-flushing or cleaning sealing means on a sump pump or the like andwhich sealing means will bridge a gap and operatively engage anassociated discharge tube.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved, durable,lowmaintenance type of an automatic sealing means in association with apump end discharge flange and wherein the seal means will operateautomatically upon pump actuation without mechanical connection to adischarge means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sealing means in sumppump assemblies that will function in either vertical or horizontalplanes.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will bemade more apparent as the specification proceeds.

Reference now should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a fragmentary vertical section through a typical sumpconstruction utilizing a pump and seal means therefor embodying theprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevation of a portion of the sumpof FIG. 1, taken on line 2-2, showing the movement control meansconnecting to the pump;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section through the pump elbowand the discharge tube connection as shown in FIG. I and taken on line33 therein;-

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section through the sealing ring of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a fragmentary elevation of a modified sump pump assemblyofthe invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged elevation, with portions of the membersbroken away and shown in section, of the structure shown in FIG. 5-, and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevation, partially broken away and shown insection, of a further modification of the sealing means assembly of theinvention.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the specification andreferred to in the drawings, corresponding numerals are used tofacilitate comparison therebetween.

INVENTIVE DISCLOSURE The present invention particularly relates to aflexible sealing diaphragm or washer means secured to a flange on adischarge member, or elbow connected to a pump and which pump elbow andend flange are adapted to be positioned immediately adjacent an endflange on a discharge tube and be aligned therewith for dischargeaction. The sealing diaphragm, or disc, is secured at its radially outerperipheral portions to the discharge elbow and has an axially movableradially inner portion to which pump fluid pressure is applied fordistorting such seal or disc axially or longitudinally outwardly of thedischarge elbow to bring such sealing diaphragm into engagement with theend flange on the discharge tube to form a sealed connectiontherebetween without any mechanical engagement or permanent associationbetween the pump flange and the discharge tube flange.

Attention now is directed to the details of the structure shown in thedrawings, and the novel pump and associated means of the invention havebeen shown in association with a sump 10 which may be of anyconventional construction and normally is adapted to receive sewage orother waste liquids or liquid-solids mixtures therein. One or more sumppumps indicated as a whole by the numeral 12, and with only one of suchpumps being shown, are provided for operative positioning at the bottomon the floor 14 of the sump 10. The sump pump 12 includes the actualpump 16 of any desired design and a drive motor 18 operatively securedto the pump 16. Power input and control of the pump 16 can be obtainedthrough leads 20 and any other means associated with the power supply tocontrol drive of the pump and power supply thereto.

It should be noted that the sump pump assembly 12 has a plurality ofsupport legs 22 provided thereon whereby the sump pump is positioned onthe floor 14 and normally elevated several inches thereabove but with afixed operative position being provided for the sump pump 12. The pump16 has any suitable inlet.

In many instances, it is desirable that these pumps 12, or pumpassemblies, be raised out of the sump 10 or at least be moved to theupper portion thereof for repair, inspection, cleaning or other actionas is required. So as to provide controlled vertical movement only ofthe sump pump assembly 12, a pair of vertically extending supportcolumns, posts, angles, beams, or the like 24,24 are suitably attachedto and positioned in the sump 10 to extend, normally, at leastsubstantially the height thereof in parallel relationship with eachother. The sump pump 12 is slidably but operably engaged with the beamsor guides 24,24 by a pair of vertically extending slide brackets 26,26which are attached to the sump pump assembly 12 by support angles ormembers 28. Each of the slide brackets 26,26 normally has a pair ofvertically spaced engaging fingers or lugs 30 and 32 for operative,accurately controlled, sliding engagement with the beams or guides 24,24whereby the sump pump assembly 12 is engaged with the two beams orguides 24,24 for only vertical movement in the sump. Any desired means,such as a flexible chain 34, engages the sump pump assembly 12 andextends to the top of the sump whereby any suitable lifting means canengage the sump pump to raise and lower it in the sump. When in use orin its operative position, the lifting force supplied by the chain 34 isremoved, and the sump pump assembly I2 is supported on the floor 14 bythe sump pump assembly legs 22 in an accurately predetermined position.

It will be seen that the pump I6 has a discharge member, usually anelbow 40, operatively secured thereto and such elbow, FIG. 1, terminatesin a vertically positioned end flange 42. The material to be dischargedfrom the sump is forced from the pump through the discharge elbow 40 anda fixedly positioned discharge tube or member 44 is provided andoperatively positioned in the sump 10. The discharge tube in thisinstance includes an end or tube elbow 46 which is contoured and fixedlypositioned so that the inlet for the discharge elbow 46 is aligned withand adjacent the discharge opening provided in the pump discharge elbow40. The discharge tube elbow 46 terminates in a vertically positioned orextending end flange 48, which, as best seen in FIG. 3, is smaller indiameter than the end flange 42 but is positioned immediatelythereadjacent and parallel thereto with the bores of the elbows 40 and46 normally being of the same size.

It is an important feature of the present invention that no mechanicalengagement is provided between the elbows 40 and 46 but yet an operativeseal can be set up therebetween to control flow ofmaterial beingdischarged from the sump 10 by the pump 16. At the same time, the beamsor guides 24,24 and their engagement with the sump pump assembly 12permits the pump assembly to be lifted straight up vertically, usuallyon the center of gravity of the sump pump assembly 12, to eliminate oravoid any friction or binding on the guide rails or beams 24,24 by thevertically spaced lugs 30 and 32 as may exist in prior constructions ofa similar type.

For the desired sealing action of the invention, a flexible annulardiaphragm or seal 50 is provided and is operably attached to the pumpelbow 40 adjacent the periphery of the end flange 42. Some conventionalmeans, such as a diaphragm holding ring 52, is attached, as by bolts,not shown, to the end flange 42 and it physically secures the diaphragm50 to the end flange 42 at peripheral portions of the end flange and ofthe diaphragm 50. Usually a reinforced section 54 of substantiallyrectangular or other suitable shape is provided on the diaphragm 50 atits periphery. The discharge member or elbow 40 has a recess 55 in theface of its end flange 42 complementary in shape to the section 54 toreceive it and aid in securing the seal 50 to the flange. The diaphragm50 is made from any suitable resilient, flexible elastomeric material,and usually is molded from natural rubber or synthetic rubberlikematerials so that the diaphragm while having flat surfaces, has aslightly conical shape when molded. This diaphragm 50 has a centeraperture or bore 56 provided therein and normally immediately adjacentsuch bore 56 a second substantially rectangular in radial section flatouter surface reenforcing or seal section 58 is provided in thediaphragm 50. This section 58 extends toward the end flange 48 when thediaphragm is operatively positioned and it presents a flat surface 60for sealing engagement with the associated end flange 48. By the slightconical taper of the diaphragm 50, usually only a few degrees, a slightclearance indicated at X in the drawing is provided between thereenforcing section 58 and the adjacent end face of the flange 42 towhich the diaphragm is secured. Thus, when the pump 16 is driven, apressure is set up within the pump elbow 40 and fluid will flow inagainst the axially inner surface of the diaphragm 50 adjacent the endflange 42 and force the inner portion of the diaphragm axially a shortdistance toward the associated end flange 48 and effect pressure contactof the section 58 against such end flange 48 on the discharge tubeassembly.

To aid in maintaining and obtaining pressure application to thediaphragm 50 on one face thereof, 1 provide an annular recess 62 in theend flange 42 positioned radially inwardly of the attachment ring 52 sothat the pumped liquids can accumulate in the discharge elbow end flangeto aid in obtaining and maintaining pressure against the diaphragm 50for forcing the surface 60 of the sealing section 58 against theassociated flat end face of the end flange 48. Hence, each time the pump16 is actuated, the diaphragm 50 will be distorted slightly or flexedbecause the pressure inside the elbow will be higher than the sumppressure and the flexible diaphragm will be forced against the dischargeend flange to make a watertight seal therewith. Each time the pumpstops, the pressure is relieved at the diaphragm and it will return toits free or molded position as shown in FIG. 3. By such action, thewater or other liquid in the sump will flush over the faces of theassociated end flanges 42 and 48 and a self-cleaning action is obtained.If any object does get on either of the flange faces, or particularly onthe face of the end flange 48, the flexibility of the diaphragm 50 willstill make a substantial seal therewith.

With reference to the modified construction shown in FIG. 5, a pump unit12a is shown operably engaged with the vertically extending guides 24afor controlled vertical movement as in the other embodiment of theinvention. In this instance, a U-shaped pump elbow 40a is provided andit has a horizontally positioned, downwardly facing end flange 420provided thereon. The fixedly positioned discharge tube assembly, inthis instance, provides a discharge elbow 460, also of U-shape andwherein the discharge tube assembly is fixedly positioned and providesan upwardly facing end flange 48a that is positioned in a horizontalplane. The drawing clearly shows that the bores of the elbows 40a and46a are aligned and with the end flange 42a being of slightly greaterdiameter than the associated end flange 48. The remainder of the sealunit is the same as in the embodiment of the invention previouslydescribed and it includes a resilient or flexible sealing washer ordiaphragm 50a that is secured in position by a clamp ring 52a engagingthe periphery of the sealing diaphragm 50a. Again, a recess 62a isprovided in the exposed face of the flange 42a for flow of pumped liquidinto or behind the space provided at the radially inner portion of thediaphragm 50a to aid in effectively positively forcing the diaphragm 50atoward the adjacent flat end face of the flange 48a for sealingengagement therewith when the pump is in operation. Clearance normallyis provided between the sealing washer or diaphragm 50a and theassociated face of the flange 48a when the pump is inoperative to aid inobtaining a self-cleaning or flushing action.

When a relatively light pump assembly 12a is provided, or for positiveengagement between the associated elbows 40a and 46a, a clamp means 68is associated with the elbow 40a. This clamp means is shown ascomprising a pair of clamp arms or tongs 70 and 72. These clamp arms orlatching tongs 70 and 72 are pivotally secured by a bolt or equivalentmember 74 to a bracket 76 normally formed integrally with or secured tothe elbow 40a. The hook ends of the tong arms 70 and 72 can be broughtinto operative engagement under the flange 48a and force the two flanges42a and 480 into pressure contact and maintain such engagement inservice even though a relatively light pump assembly or unit 12a isprovided. Hence, operative pumping pressures still will not separate theassembly of the invention after such assembly is made when the pump isnot operating. If a relatively heavy pump is used, then the use of theclamp or tong arms 70 and 72 can usually be avoided.

When it is desired to lift the pump assembly 12a from the sump, thencontrol members chains, or arms 77 and 78, which may be formed fromwires or which may be inextensible control arms, and which pivotallyconnect to the upper ends of the latchings tongs 70 and 72, can be usedto force the upper ends of the tong arms apart and permit the lifting ofthe pump unit without any interference from the latching tongs. However,an effective, easily operated means has been provided that willeffectively mechanically secure the pump assembly to the discharge meansafter the pump assembly 12a is lowered into its operative position.Again, no permanent relationship is provided between the two memberswhereby relative movement ofthe pump assembly can easily be had.

FIG. 7 of the drawings shows a modification of the invention wherein thepump assembly (not shown) would be supported upon the floor of the sumpas in the other embodiments of the invention. In this instance, the pumpassembly is ofa relatively heavy weight or is one where low dischargepressures are provided. In this instance, the pump discharge elbow 40bis provided that engages with a suitable discharge elbow 46b suitablyfixedly secured within the sump. In this instance, a sealing diaphragmor ring 50b is provided and functions in the same manner as describedheretofore. However, in this instance, the flanges 42b and 48b will beretained in operative engagement with each other merely by the operativepositioning of the relative members and the weight of the pump assemblywill maintain the flanges in good engagement.

In any construction, the molded resilient sealing washer, diaphragm orring provided may bear against the associated surface of the flange 48or equivalent member even under inoperative conditions. This mayeliminate some of the selfflushing action of the assembly of theinvention provided when clearance exists between the surface 60 of thediaphragm 50 and the associated flange surface 48, as shown in FIG. I,but such action is not required in all installations.

it will be seen that the novel sump pump assembly and the special sealdiaphragm provided therein requires no mechanical engagement between thedischarge elbow 40 from the pump and the associated fixedly positioneddischarge tube assembly.

It will be seen that the end flange 42, FIG. 1, is parallel to a planedefined by the guides 24 to retain the flanges 42 and 48 in operativeengagement when the pump is in operation.

By present invention, it is believed that a novel and improved sump pumpassembly has been provided which assembly is readily raised out of thesump pump for repair or other action. At the same time, the sumppumpassembly is positioned in a fixed relationship to the discharge tubefor the sump and the desired sump discharge action can be obtained whenthe pump 16 is driven. Only guided, direct vertical lifting action isprovided for the sump pump assembly and by the means of the invention anautomatic seal action is provided for the discharged material when thepump 16 is driven. Thus, the objects of the invention are thought to beachieved.

While several complete embodiments of the invention have been disclosedherein, it will be appreciated that modification of such embodiments ofthe invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of theinvention.

What I claim is:

1. In a sump pump assembly or the like including a pump, positioningmeans adapted to engage said pump for only con trolled vertical movementthereof and for accurately positioning said pump for use in itslowermost position, the improvement comprising a discharge memberconnecting to said pump and having an end flange,

a fixedly positioned discharge tube means having an end flange,

said member end flange being immediately adjacent, spaced from, andaligned 'with said tube means end flange when said pump is in itslowermost position, and

an annular sealing diaphragm secured adjacent its periphery only to saiddischarge member end flange, said diaphragm having a center aperture andhaving an annular inner portion adapted to be forced against said tubemeans flange when said pump is in operation.

2. In a sump pump assembly as in claim 1 where said tube means endflange is smaller in diameter than said member flange, and where asecuring ring is attached to said discharge member end flange to securesaid diaphragm thereto.

3. In a sump pump assembly as in claim 1 where said diaphragm has someaxial clearance with said discharge member flange at a radially innerportion of said diaphragm, and said discharge member flange has afluid-receiving recess formed thereon adjacent its radially inner edgefor flow of pumped liquids against one surface of said diaphragm toforce a portion of said diaphragm towards and against said tube meansend flange.

4. in a sump pump as in claim 1 where said diaphragm has a reinforcedannular section thereon adjacent the center opening of said diaphragm,said section having a flat vertically extending surface for sealingengagement with an annular portion of said tube means flange.

5. In combination in a sump pump or the like, a pump, positioninCg meansadapted for engaging said pump for only controlle vertlcal movementthereof and for accurately positioning said pump for use, and a fixedlypositioned discharge tube assembly having a vertically extending endflange, the improvement comprising a discharge elbow secured to saidpump and having a vertically extending end flange,

said elbow end flange being immediately adjacent, spaced from, andaligned with said tube assembly end flange when said pump is in itsoperative position, and

an annular sealing diaphragm secured at its periphery to said elbow endflange, said diaphragm having a radially inner portion adapted to beforced against said tube assembly flange when said pump is in operationbut no permanent connection being formed between said flanges to permitvertical movement of said pump.

6. in a combination as in claim 5 where said diaphragm is resilient andof conical shape to provide some clearance with said pump elbow flangeat the portion of said diaphragm adjacent a center opening therein, andsaid elbow flange has an annular fluid receiving recess formed thereinfor flow of pumped liquids against one surface of said diaphragm toforce a portion of it against said tube assembly end flange.

7. in a combination as in claim 5 where said diaphragm has a reinforcedannular section thereon adjacent its periphery, said elbow end flangehaving a recess in its end face in which said section is received.

1. In a sump pump assembly or the like including a pump, positioningmeans adapted to engage said pump for only controlled vertical movementthereof and for accurately positioning said pump for use in itslowermost position, the improvement comprising a discharge memberconnecting to said pump and having an end flange, a fixedly positioneddischarge tube means having an end flange, said member end flange beingimmediately adjacent, spaced from, and aligned with said tube means endflange when said pump is in its lowermost position, and an annularsealing diaphragm secured adjacent its periphery only to said dischargemember end flange, said diaphragm having a center aperture and having anannular inner portion adapted to be forced against said tube meansflange when said pump is in operation.
 2. In a sump pump assembly as inclaim 1 where said tube means end flange is smaller in diameter thansaid member flange, and where a securing ring is attached to saiddischarge member end flange to secure said diaphragm thereto.
 3. In asump pump assembly as in claim 1 where said diaphragm has some axialclearance with said discharge member flange at a radially inner portionof said diaphragm, and said discharge member flange has afluid-receiving recess formed thereon adjacent its radially inner edgefor flow of pumped liquids against one surface of said diaphragm toforce a portion of said diaphragm towards and against said tube meansend flange.
 4. In a sump pump as in claim 1 where said diaphragm has areinforced annular section thereon adjacent the center opening of saiddiaphragm, said section having a flat vertically extending surface forsealing engagement with an annular portion of said tube means flange. 5.In combination in a sump pump or the like, a pump, positioning meansadapted for engaging said pump for only controlled vertical movementthereof and for accurately positioning said pump for use, and a fixedlypositioned discharge tube assembly having a vertically extending endflange, the improvement comprising a discharge elbow secured to saidpump and having a vertically extending end flange, said elbow end flangebeing immediately adjacent, spaced from, and aligned with said tubeassembly end flange when said pump is in its operative position, and anannular sealing diaphragm secured at its periphery to said elbow endflange, said diaphragm having a radially inner portion adapted to beforced against said tube assembly flange when said pump is in operationbut no permanent connection being formed between said flanges to permitvertical movement of said pump.
 6. In a combination as in claim 5 wheresaid diaphragm is resilient and of conical shape to provide someclearance with said pump elbow flange at the portion of said diaphragmadjacent a center opening therein, and said elbow flange has an annularfluid receiving recess formed therein for flow of pumped liquids againstone surface of said diaphragm to force a portion of it against said tubeassembly end flange.
 7. In a combination as in claim 5 where saiddiaphragm has a reinforced annular section thereon adjacent itsperiphery, said elbow end flange having a recess in its end face inwhich said section is received.